Sheriff: Investigation into shooting ongoing

Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau met briefly with reporters Friday to answer questions surrounding the investigation of Deputy Anthony Thomas, who shot and killed Mathew Jackson, 29, in the early morning hours of Aug. 31 while he was off duty.

“What is important to remember is that a life was lost, and our responsibility is to ensure the integrity of the case — that it's done in a fair, thorough and complete way to make sure that we get all the facts,” Pamerleau said.

Pamerleau said the forensic investigation portion of the proceedings is complete, but the investigation still is ongoing. She declined to answer specific questions surrounding the outcome of her office's findings.

“It's still an active investigation as we turn it over to the district attorney for their review, so it'd be inappropriate to talk about the specifics of the case at this time,” Pamerleau said.

Trey Banack, chief of the district attorney's white collar crimes division, acknowledged that prosecutors received the case Friday afternoon. It came with no specific recommendation, he said.

Jackson and Thomas were involved in a minor traffic accident before the two pulled over at Loop 1604 between Nacogdoches and Lookout Road and had an “altercation,” authorities said. Thomas shot Jackson multiple times with his service revolver, hitting him at least once in the chest. Jackson died at the scene.

Police later determined that Jackson, who was leaving a friend's home after his shift at the 20nine Restaurant and Wine Bar in the Quarry Market, was not carrying a weapon at the time.

Thomas was put on 10 days of administrative leave following the shooting, which is a normal procedure for any officer involved in a shooting. Since then, he has been placed on administrative duty while the BCSO conducted its investigation. Pamerleau assured reporters that Thomas currently is not involved in any law enforcement duties.

Pamerleau said the DA will take the next steps as the investigation proceeds.

“They do a complete review of our investigation with fresh eyes,” Pamerleau said.

Meanwhile, BCSO has been keeping Jackson's family apprised of the ongoing investigation, Pamerleau said.

“All through the process from the beginning, throughout, we've stayed in touch with the family and their attorney and kept them involved every step of the way,” Pamerleau said. “I don't think any family in this situation would want us to rush this investigation. We need to take the time necessary to assure that we're fair to everyone involved in this.”